Fuller's Earthworks - Redhill

Fuller's Earth

Fuller's earth is a clay material that has the capability to decolorize oil or other liquids without chemical treatment, it often consists of palygorskite or bentonite.

"Modern uses of fuller's earth include absorbents for oil, grease, and animal waste (cat litter) and as a carrier for pesticides and fertilizers. Minor uses include filtering, clarifying, and decolorizing; active and inactive ingredient in beauty products; and as a filler in paint, plaster, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals."

History

Est c.1860-70, initially supplying the woolen trade demand later shifted to the growing chemical and comodity sector with customers in the 1920s-40s including the Southern Oil Company Ltd, British Glues and Chemicals Ltd and Priceís Patent Candle Co.

In 1954 the works, at the time employing 780 men, were bought by chemical company Laporte Industries. Production had to step up a notch due to increasing demand which meant a factory consisting of kilns, granulators, blungers, silos and transit systems on several floors were built.

In the 1980s, the Copyhold site was sending loose earths and packaged cat litter around the world.

Falling profits meant that in 1995 the company would close some of its plants. Copyhold fell victim and the Laporte Group ceased fullerís earth production altogether in 1997. They sold off the 119 acre pit which is now used as a landfill site taking waste from across Surrey.

For a while, the site was used as a waste transfer station before being left abandoned for quite some time!

The Explore

Fab day with the fella, Rubex, Lady P & jsp!

I had barely stepped foot in the place when I appeared to be the only one covered in mud! Maybe one for the dry weather!

I'm not sure jsp was impressed by my inability to walk more than a couple of steps before freaking that one of the grates will give way and send me plummeting to my death......"that's my beam, find your own!" Exposure therapy cures fears, bring on the next scare!

They are lovely detailed pics.i love your style.its one place I ain't been and do fancy it.the worst floor like that I have been on was at tellingly colliery.above the coal.wash area.it was literally the floor and straight drop down.hundreds of feet

About us

DerelictPlaces is a forum for people with an interest in the history and documentation of disused, derelict and abandoned buildings to come together and share their experiences, photography and historical findings. Our military, industrial and historical heritage is fast disappearing under the pressure of regeneration, the need for new housing, and often through simple neglect; Our aim is to document these places before they disappear entirely.